A vehicle seat is provided including a seat base, a seatback and a seatback recline pivot pivotably supporting the seatback relative to the seat base for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between a full upright position and a full recline position. An armrest is provided having an upper armrest upper surface. An armrest to seatback recline pivot connection pivotably connects the armrest to the seatback recline pivot for pivoting movement of the seatbackarmrest relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between an armrest full upright position and an armrest full recline position.
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1. A vehicle seat comprising:
a seat base;
a seatback;
a seatback recline pivot pivotably supporting the seatback relative to the seat base for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between a full upright position and a full recline position;
an armrest having an upper armrest upper surface;
an armrest to seatback recline pivot connection pivotably connecting the armrest to the seatback recline pivot for pivoting movement of the armrest relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between an armrest full upright position and an armrest full recline position; and an armrest to seatback connection fixing said armrest relative to said seatback wherein said armrest pivots with said seatback and the armrest upper surface is positioned at a design position armrest angle of from 10° to 0° below horizontal, with said seatback in a seatback design position between the seatback full upright position and the full recline position.
14. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat base; a seatback; a seatback recline pivot pivotably supporting the seatback relative to the seat base for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between a full upright position and a full recline position; an armrest having an upper armrest upper surface; an armrest to seatback recline pivot connection pivotably connecting the armrest to the seatback recline pivot for pivoting movement of the armrest relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between an armrest full upright position and an armrest full recline position, wherein said armrest comprises an armrest upper portion with an armrest upper rear end, said armrest extending from said armrest upper rear end to an armrest upper forward end, wherein said upper armrest surface is defined by said armrest upper portion between said armrest upper rear end and said armrest upper forward end, and said armrest comprises an armrest lower portion having an armrest lower rear end, with said armrest to seatback recline pivot connection at said armrest lower rear end, and said armrest comprises a joining portion, joining said armrest upper portion with said armrest lower portion.
2. A vehicle seat according to
3. A vehicle seat according to
4. A vehicle seat according to
5. A vehicle seat according to
6. A vehicle seat according to
7. A vehicle seat according to
8. A vehicle seat according to
9. A vehicle seat according to
10. A vehicle seat according to
11. A vehicle seat according to
12. A vehicle seatback and armrest assembly according to
13. A vehicle seat according to
15. A vehicle seat according to
16. A vehicle seat according to
17. A vehicle seat according to
18. A vehicle seat according to
19. A vehicle seatback and armrest assembly according to
said second armrest to seatback connection fixes said armrest to said seatback at a connection location;
said armrest to seatback connection is at said armrest lower rear end; and
said connection location is spaced from said armrest lower rear end whereby said armrest is fixed to the seatback both at said armrest to seatback connection and at said second armrest to seatback connection.
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The present invention relates to vehicle seats in general and more particularly to a vehicle seat with an armrest and a vehicle seatback, pivot and armrest assembly.
Vehicle seats are often provided that are associated with one or more armrests. The armrests may be provided at an inner surface of a door of the vehicle. Further armrests may be provided that pivot so as to move to a storage position. Such an armrest may have a lower surface which forms a part of a seatback (also known as backrest) in a rear bench seat, at a vehicle wall or bulkhead. Although an independently pivoting armrest, at such rear bench seats, provides some advantages relating to storage, such armrests may not provide optimal comfort for the passenger. Further, for front seat passengers, armrest options are significantly restricted by issues relating to access to functional items as well as issues relating to vehicle ingress and egress.
It is an object of the invention to provide a position adjustable vehicle seat with at least one armrest which provides optimal comfort for the passenger through a full range of seat positions.
It is an object of the invention to provide a position adjustable vehicle seat with armrests that are fixed to the recline pivot of the seat rather than the seatback or cushion structure and which armrests move with the occupant as the seat reclines.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a position adjustable vehicle seat with at least one armrest which does not require much or any storage space but which in combination with vehicle seat features does not significantly obstruct or hamper ingress into the vehicle seat and egress from the vehicle seat.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a position adjustable vehicle seat with at least one armrest which can provide the occupant support (as a hand grip or hand support surface) for ingress into the vehicle seat and egress from the vehicle seat.
According to the invention, a vehicle seat is provided comprising a seat base, a seatback and a seatback recline pivot pivotably supporting the seatback relative to the seat base for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between a full upright position and a full recline position. An armrest is provided having an upper armrest upper surface. An armrest to seatback recline pivot connection pivotably connects the armrest to the seatback recline pivot for pivoting movement of the seatback relative to the seat base about the seatback recline pivot, between an armrest full upright position and an armrest full recline position.
The armrest advantageously comprises an armrest upper portion with an armrest upper rear end. The armrest extends from the armrest upper rear end to an armrest upper forward end. The upper armrest surface is defined by the armrest upper portion between the armrest upper rear end and the armrest upper forward end. The armrest further comprises an armrest lower portion having an armrest lower rear end, with the armrest to seatback recline pivot connection at the armrest lower rear end. The armrest further comprises a joining portion, joining the armrest upper portion with the armrest lower portion.
The armrest may be connected to the seatback at other locations. An armrest to seatback connection may also fix the armrest to the seatback at a connection location. The connection location may be spaced from the armrest to seatback recline pivot connection. For example the armrest to seatback connection location may be at the armrest upper rear end.
The armrest may pivot with the seatback to position the armrest upper surface at a design position armrest angle of from 10° to 0° below horizontal, with the seatback in a seatback design position between the seatback full upright position and the full recline position. The armrest pivots with the seatback to position the armrest upper surface at a full recline armrest angle of from 0° and 20° above horizontal, with the seatback in the full recline position. The armrest pivots with the seatback to position the armrest upper surface at a full upright armrest angle of from 5° and 25° below horizontal, with the seatback in the full upright position. The armrest may also be supported at the recline pivot to pivot independently of the seatback. This may allow a positioning of the armrest upper surface at armrest angle of from 0° and 20° above horizontal and from 0° to 25° below horizontal.
The vehicle seat may include a headrest assembly comprising a headrest and supports connected to a rear facing portion of the backrest.
The vehicle seat may further comprise a rotational connection of the seat base with a vehicle floor and a rotational drive for rotating the vehicle seat relative to the seat.
A positioning system is preferably provided comprising an actuator, a plurality of motors and an operative connection between the actuator and the plurality of drive motors. The plurality of motors advantageously comprises the rotational drive and at least a seatback pivot drive for changing a pivot angle of the seatback between the seatback full upright position and the full recline position.
The plurality of drive motors may further comprise a seat base position adjustment drive adjusting a position of the seat base. The plurality of motors may further comprise an armrest pivot drive to pivot the armrest about the seatback recline pivot to select an angular position of the armrest surface of the armrest. Other positioning motors may be provided as discussed below.
The actuator may further comprise an actuator interface connected to the armrest. The actuator may further comprise an actuator interface provided as a computer application on a computer or mobile device and connected to the drive motors via the operative connection.
The vehicle seat positioning system establishes and executes a sequenced set of specified seat movements that rotate and position the seat to predefined positions based on movements of a plurality of drive motors including the rotational drive.
The invention provides particular advantages in cooperation with a seat controller and powered position system that uses user specified pre-sets to provide sequencing of an optimal ingress/egress. The presets specified may include user keying in the amount of:
Sequenced sets of specified seat movements that rotate and position the seat for getting in and out of the vehicle easier is particularly advantageous with the armrest configuration according to the invention. The seat greets the occupant with their own personal pre-sets. In particular, door sensors detecting the state of any one of the doors of the vehicle may be coordinated with adjacent seats whereby the opening of the door initiates the sequence to provide the seat in a preselected and defined ingress and egress position.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
In the drawings
Referring to the drawings in particular,
The embodiment of
The armrest 20 advantageously comprises an armrest upper portion 23 with the armrest upper rear end 25. The armrest 20 extends from the armrest upper rear end 25 to an armrest upper forward end 27. The upper armrest surface 26 is defined by the armrest upper portion 23 between the armrest upper rear end 25 and the armrest upper forward end 27. The armrest further comprises an armrest lower portion 28 with the armrest to seatback recline pivot connection 22 at an armrest lower rear end. The armrest comprises a joining portion 29, joining the armrest upper portion 23 with the armrest lower portion 28, that has the seatback recline pivot connection 22.
The vehicle seat 10 is advantageously supported relative to the vehicle with a rotational mount 30. The rotational mount 30 may comprise support track openings 32 provided in a floor 2 of the motor vehicle 8. A subfloor 34 may support a rotational position motor 75. The seat base (cushion) 16 includes supports 36 that rotate on or relative to subfloor 34 and are driven for movement along the path of the track openings 32. This allows selective rotational positioning of the vehicle seat 10 about an axis 39 of the rotational position motor 75, between a forward facing position (based on a direction of travel 4) and any other rotational position relative to the forward facing position.
Advantageously the vehicle seat includes a powered positioning system 50 such that the vehicle seat 10 can be adjusted in numerous ways to achieve various positions for comfort or functional purposes. The movement advantageously includes combined movements including rotation of the vehicle seat 10 by the rotational connection 30 and rotational drive 75. The positioning system 50 includes a plurality of drive motors 71(M1), 72(M2), . . . 79(Mn) effecting the position changes. One such motor is a recline motor 74 for controlled movement of the seatback 14 relative to the recline pivot 18 and relative to the seat base 16. Another of the drive motors 40 is the already described rotational position motor 75. The seat cushion 16 may be mounted for positional adjustment including for a pivotable movement with this movement driven by a seat base pivot drive. The drive motors 71, 72, 73 may also be provided for changing the position of the headrest 12 (height position, position in the four-aft direction and angular tilt position). Additionally, an armrest pivot drive motor 79 (Mn) and drive connection may be provided to reposition the angle of the surface 26 of the armrest 20.
As shown in
Interface 54A provides a screen for a manual mode, wherein each position adjustment may be selected, including rotation of the vehicle seat 10. The interface 54A allows the occupant to select a changeover to the interface 54B. The interface 54B allows a selection of preset movements to preset positions. In particular, sequenced sets of specified seat movements via movement actuators 55, 56, 57 and 58 are provided that rotate and position the vehicle seat 10 for getting in and out of the vehicle 8 easier (movement actuator 57). Other predefined movements to specific positions are provided by the various movement actuators 55, 56, 57 and 58. These predefined movements to specific positions may be modified for particular users, such that the final position or even intermediate positions are customized by the occupants to provide the preference of the occupant.
The vehicle seat 10 advantageously includes a plurality of motors 71-79, each for effecting a different positional change. As schematically shown in
Although not shown, a further interface screen with other softkeys may be provided. This further interface screen, or one of the interfaces 54A, 54B, may only comprise customized presets. Further, other features such as sensors or state signals from the vehicle 8 may change the position of the vehicle seat 10 or bring about movement of the vehicle seat 10. For example, opening any one of the particular doors may be programmed (pre-set) to result in the processor 24 sending signals to the motor controller 42 of any of the particular vehicle seats 10, 11 etc., to position the vehicle seat for ingress. The seat 10 in this case greets the occupant with the occupant's own personal pre-sets. Further, some other sensors or input of the vehicle 8 may reposition the vehicle seat 10. This could for example be a repositioning wherein the driver must take over control of the vehicle 8 from the autonomous driving system of the vehicle 8.
The interface of the actuator 52 is not restricted to the interface 54A and 54B as shown and described above. Instead, the processor may be connected via the actuator to processor connection 47 to a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless or network interface. In this case, the actuator 52 could for example be an application on a smart phone. Further, information about the identity of the occupant may be entered at some other interface of the vehicle 8. The seat 10, that the identified occupant sits in or is to sit in, will move to various positions in a defined way. The interface may be a microphone with voice recognition processing at the processor to provide a voice activated change in position and/or a voice activated assignment of the seat to a particular identified occupant with prior saved preferences and sequenced movements. The particular voice of the occupant may also be matched to a data base or otherwise recognized to identify the occupant.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
APPENDIX
LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS
2
vehicle floor
4
direction of travel
5
horizontal
6
windshield frame
8
vehicle
10
vehicle seat
12
headrest assembly
13
headrest support
14
seatback
16
seat base (cushion)
18
seatback recline pivot
20
armrests
22
pivot connection
23
armrest upper portion
24
seatback connection
25
armrest upper rear end
26
armrest upper surface
27
armrest upper forward end
28
armrest lower portion
29
joining portion
30
rotational connection
32
track openings
34
subfloor
36
supports
39
rotational axis
40
drive motors
41
full up armrest angle
42
design armrest angle
43
full recline armrest angle
44
processor
47
actuator to processor connection
50
positioning system
52
actuator
54a
actuator interface
54b
actuator interface
55
movement actuator
56
movement actuator
57
movement actuator
58
movement actuator
71
headrest X position adjustment motor
72
headrest Z position adjustment motor
73
headrest tilt angle adjustment motor
74
recline motor
75
swivel (z-axis rotation) motor
76
four-aft track motor
77
seat base tilt angle motor
78
lift (up down) motor
79
nth motor or armrest pivot motor
Seibold, Kurt, Gomez, John, Milner, Mark
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Feb 12 2018 | SEIBOLD, KURT | Adient Engineering and IP GmbH | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 045324 | /0412 | |
Feb 13 2018 | GOMEZ, JOHN | Adient Engineering and IP GmbH | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 045324 | /0412 | |
Feb 13 2018 | MILNER, MARK | Adient Engineering and IP GmbH | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 045324 | /0412 | |
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